The jam factory is such a beautiful iconic building with amazing architecture. Came on a Saturday afternoon and instead of the previous bustle that I remembered all the shops were closed. Only village cinemas was open. Still a nice place to cool down in the summer heat

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be in a dystopian wasteland, jam factory will give you this vibe. Although the architecture is beautiful and it’s easy access to village cinemas, there is nothing else to do here besides look at the chaos that is our capitalist society raising rent and forcing places to close. Filled with empty shells of shops that once were, it’s hard not to feel sad when you’re in this space for all the potential that is wasted to make this the bright and bustling place it once was so many years ago.

we went on a friday night. it was completely dead. not one of the eateries were opened or even operating??!. only the movies open, which was also dead and has a terrible layout. The movie is on top floor divided in 2 section and there is no walk way to access both sections. you literally have to go down to the bottom floor than go to the other side and go back up again... the place is dated. I have no idea how this place is even operating 🤷🏽

Clean and comfortable cinemas with extremely helpful staff. Perhaps not the best choice of cinema if you have mobility issues as there are a lot of stairs and although there are lifts and escalators these aren't always working. The lift up to cinemas 1-8 is easy to get access before a movie as you need a staff member but after the movie it it's difficult to find someone. It is set inside the Jam Factory building which in itself is something to look at and a little bit different.

Once a bright and busy building. Niw a sad building. We went on a Wednesday to go to the Village cinema. It was raining. There were buckets everywhere because of the leaks.

It’s deserted. No shops and the Cinema isn’t manned. There’s a sign for people to use the self serve screens to buy their tickets. Even though it’s deserted it’s actually super clean and safe when walking through. I park in the Wilson carpark behind. It’s cheap and the spaces are nice and spacious and it’s easy to navigate the car through the turns and super easy to navigate your wag out, but the car wash is closed though.

Most businesses were closed on an otherwise busy Saturday afternoon, there isn't much to do inside other than village cinemas. The restrooms aren't maintained properly.

Everything closed down except the cinema and arcade game place. One lift to cinemas not working and the escalator on the other side not working. Lots of maintenance and cleaning required. Great place for the homeless if the area to get out of the weather and even charge phones. Wouldn’t bother going back, really sad to see.

Seen better days. This place used to be the epicenter of activity back in the day. Now it’s virtually a dead mall with barely anyone around. It’s a sign of the times and generally a sad reflection on the overall decline of Chapel street which was once a shopping and entertainment hub.

This place has got good bones but it's not being used properly. The retail experience is boring and you pretty much come here for Cotton On, Nando's and the cinemas. The cinemas are great and the parking garage is convenient if you want quick and easy secure parking.

I loved the Village cinema experience on the first floor of this "building", it was impeccable in service, booking ease, seating, buying treats to watch while viewing, friendly staff etc. Theatre very comfortable and clean. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 However the larger premises within which the cinemas are located are undergoing some sort of building/restructuring or repurposing and are like an abandoned wasteland. This used to be a thriving, bubbling, super exciting shopping and eating centre, fantastic for meeting friends and business colleagues and taking the kids to during school holidays. The place is now physically dead. People interested in visiting the famous old Jam Factory should check council websites for information of what's happening to the site.

Jam factory remains at the heart of chapel st but it seems rather rundown as time passes. Fortunately, they will be doing a huge upgrade, adding multiple levels and retails in the process. Most of the shops such as TGI fridays are closed due to this and metro tunnel work. If you are here after 6 pm to hang out at Chapel St, you can park for free at the neighbourhood just a short distance from Jam Factory.

Has a decent selection of food, entertainment and other types of stores. Would recommend if your in need of a bite to eat or just want to go watch a movie. There are places as well to just have a sit down and relax during the day. Never too busy but around lunch can sometimes be hard to get a seat or get food somewhat quickly.

Just a sad, forgotten-about, empty hall of creepy arcade games, with a few quiet fast-food restaurants and offices with their lights off. If it wasn't for the cinema, this place would be empty.

Great place to see a movie. Paid parking close by. The precinct needs to attract more retailers though. Chapel Street, a buzzing Melbourne street is just outside.

Had taro gelato and green apple gelato, in a cup. Great flavour but must say they are on the sweeter side. Lots of choices to choose from and great embiance and friendly staff.

Cinema is pretty much the only thing still there (oh, and a sorta of arcade) and they don't validate parking anymore, so you have to $$

Terrible. Deserted and run down. It used to be a bustling area, full of eateries, shops and people milling about. Such a waste of space. Only worth passing by to go to Village Cinemas or to use adjacent car park.

Went to gold class had to use stairs because esculater was out of order, not sure if lifts were available but person I went with could have used it as his on a crutch.

The jam factory is a shell of its former self. Since covid, a lot of reaitailers have shut their doors with giants like TGI Fridays, Cotton on and the UK's TopShop/TopMan closed forever. The only thing left is the retro 50s diner, that I've never seen open, and the Village cinemas, which never seems to have anyone flowing in and out. Hopefully the Jam factory is able to revitalise itself as the industry leader it was, and isn't turned into more apartments.

Thr Jam Factory used to be cool and buzzing with Borders Books and TGI Fridays but not the cinema seems to be the only draw card.

Went for gold class on a Sunday night. The cinema seats were disgusting, covered in popcorn and chocolate. We went to order some drinks and the staff were literally stoned and incoherent. They said we could not order any drinks because the kitchen was closed but then there were about 3 people behind the bar just chatting away. I left with stains all over my jumper because the staff did not clean up after their prior people. The staff had 0 personal space, leaning over the seats right up into our faces in a bizarre manner

Not much going on here other than the cinemas. Great place to use to the public toilet and catch your breath….

Booked Gold Class at Village on early Sunday night (it was great!) But the Jam factory is nothing but an empty shed. Aside from Village box office and a strange gaming place, there was nothing open. Gone are the days of late night dessert and coffee. Chaple St wants you to get in then out! So sad for what was once a place of culture, people watching, great shopping and food.

I visited the cinema in the jam factory. Clean and comfortable. Would also recommend TGI Fridays if you like done American fair. Parking isn't cheap.

That most anachronistic of retail spaces - an eternal white elephant. I suspect the cinema is the only thing keeping this place afloat (and the only good thing about that cinema is Gold Class).

This place is currently a ghost town. The picture theatre and not much else is happening. Pretty sad state of affairs if you want to eat outside of the theatre provision.

Great theatres....great seating. But all the cafes are permanently closed.

It was like a ghost town, seems like most retail and hospitailty here has closed down. Not much to do here other than watch a movie.

Some shops are still closed since lockdown. Nice waiting area where you can charge your phone. I go here regularly to watch movies.

So sad to walk through here these days! It is dirty, went to sit on a bench/table had cobwebs in the corners🤮 nothing was open any more, cannot even grab a coffee. It used to be so lively & vibrant 😒